Is Hoi An safe?
Very safe by Vietnamese standards. Bag snatching is uncommon; overcharging, tailor pressure and flooded roads are the main annoyances.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-06-23.
- Homicide rate in Vietnam: 1.5 per 100,000 people (2011, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Vietnam: 30.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 113 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 114.
Safety in Hoi An at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Overcharging, bag snatching from motorbikes (uncommon), and pickpocketing during the lantern crowds. |
| At night | The old town is lively until about 11 pm, then very quiet. Walks are safe; roads outside are dark, so use Grab. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; harassment is uncommon. Be firm with tailors and touts, and avoid empty beaches at night. |
| Other risks | Flooding and typhoons Sep–Nov; Strong rip currents at beaches; Scooter accidents on dark rural roads |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Tailors and shops paying commissions to touts, who steer you to them
- Boat or cyclo rides with prices changed afterwards
- Fake 'ticket' sellers for the old town entry
- Motorbike rental damage claims on return
Take care
- Swimming at An Bang or Cua Dai in red-flag conditions
- Riding scooters at night on unlit roads
- Isolated roads on the rice fields at night
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty; possession means prison
- Flying a drone needs a permit; unpermitted drones get confiscated
- Photographing military sites or joining protests can lead to detention
How Hoi An compares in Vietnam
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Con Dao | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hanoi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Da Nang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hoi An | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ha Long Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nha Trang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Phu Quoc | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sapa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hue | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ninh Binh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Da Lat | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mui Ne | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Phong Nha | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cat Ba | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vung Tau | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Quy Nhon | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Can Tho | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cao Bang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mai Chau | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ha Giang | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Hoi An safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women; harassment is uncommon. Be firm with tailors and touts, and avoid empty beaches at night.
Is Hoi An safe at night?
The old town is lively until about 11 pm, then very quiet. Walks are safe; roads outside are dark, so use Grab.
What is the crime rate in Hoi An?
Overcharging, bag snatching from motorbikes (uncommon), and pickpocketing during the lantern crowds. Nationally, Vietnam records 1.5 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2011).
What number do I call in an emergency in Hoi An?
Police 113 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 114.
More about Hoi An
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Hoi An tourism (UNESCO World Heritage Centre)
- Da Nang International Airport (ACV)
- Grab Vietnam
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.